The world premiere of Beyond Bucha: Finding the Spirit in Ukraine, from the Churches to the Front was held on March 2nd to a packed house at in Jamestown, RI.

A huge thanks to the Jamestown Ukraine Relief Project (JURP) and the Friends of the Jamestown Library for sponsoring the premiere screening, which took place just days after the three-year anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. Bear Witness’ Alex Gamota, the film’s executive producer, was also on hand and gave a ringing endorsement of the three-film project, highlighting his organization’s support from the very beginning in March 2022.

​I was on hand to lead the Q&A afterward, which featured a live feed from Odesa with Sasha Pinchuk and his family, who had many friends in the audience. John Andrews, head of JURP, introduced the film and shared this review:

Couldn’t have said it better myself.

As with all our screenings, which double as fundraisers for Ukraine, I was also happy to help raise funds for JURP’s work in Ukraine. Since the beginning of the war, JURP has raised tens of thousands of dollars for Ukrainian causes.
We are making the film available in the coming weeks for everyone to watch and share. Just visit the event page for a link to the film, pictures from the event, and more information.

The film continues to evolve as we edit and create additional versions. It is already available in two forms: the 75-minute director’s cut, which we screened at the event, and a new 57-minute version available online.

Our impact campaign is in the works as we plan a screening tour across the U.S. and Ukraine for the rest of the year.

​Want to help? Arrange a screening—either in person or virtually. For more information on hosting a screening for your group, click here.

For more information please go to the event page at theoeco.org/beyondbuchajamestown.html.

Fr. Theodore Orobets in front of the Wall of Memories at the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ in Odesa.

By Steve Richards

One of the purposes of Beyond Bucha is to document some of the ongoing Russian bombardment of Ukraine’s religious sites.

None is more infamous than the Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa, making the city a high priority on my list of places to visit during the production tour last fall.

But my visit yielded much more than expected, including an interview with Fr. Theodore Orobets at the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ—a much smaller cathedral of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, more than two centuries old. Little did I know that just a month later, on November 15th, this very cathedral would be struck by a Russian missile.

Report on the bombing of the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ in Odesa -
November 2024

The interview began with my intrepid translator and cameraman, Sasha Pinchuk, in front of the church with Fr. Orobets at the Wall of Memories. The first section of this memorial honors Odesa’s heroes who died before 2022 in the fighting that began in 2014. This year, the wall was extended to continue their memory following the full-scale invasion nearly three years ago. Fr. Orobets has personally buried close to 40 heroes. Since the war began, 512 soldiers from Odesa alone have lost their lives.

Fr. Orobets, a priest of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, has served here for nearly 25 years. In the interview, he explains that Ukraine has two types of Orthodox churches: one that is Ukrainian and another that follows Moscow. His church was never part of the Moscow Patriarchate.

He goes on to explain that because of the war, more people are coming to pray at his church—especially since most of those fighting for Ukraine now turn to Ukrainian churches. This is particularly evident in Odesa, where there are only six churches under the Ukrainian Patriarchate, compared to 60–70 under Moscow’s Patriarchate.

When asked about his relationship with Moscow-affiliated priests, he says he considers them brothers who have lost their way and that the Ukrainian church is waiting for them to return.

Fr. Orobets and Richards at the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ -  Odesa - October 2024
Photo by Viktoriia Pinchuk

When asked if he had ever experienced persecution at the hands of the Ukrainian government, he firmly stated that there is no persecution of Christians in Ukraine. He explained that Ukraine has many religious organizations that operate freely and that those not connected to Moscow face no issues. However, the Moscow Patriarchate, under Patriarch Kirill, supports Russian aggression, and if priests break the law by supporting the war, they must be held accountable under Ukrainian law. He prays that God will give wisdom to the Ukrainian government so that Russia cannot use the church to influence Ukraine. He also emphasizes that the Ukrainian government is fair to priests of all religions and that priests of the Ukrainian Church oppose the way Russia uses the church as a cover for its actions against Ukraine.

We also discussed the war’s effects on him and his parish. He explained that, at one point, people thought they could get used to the explosions and stress—but that is simply not true. It is impossible. The fear is constant because no one ever knows where the next strike will land. Just the day before our interview on October 11th, five people died in Odesa from missile strikes. The day of the interview, four more. Many others were in the hospital, fighting for their lives. They were just civilians, living in their own homes.

On a personal level, he shared that every time there is an air raid alert, the first thing they do is pray—especially at night. He has a wife and four children, and, he noted, the little ones are always the first to pray. He added that they know their true defender is not just the Ukrainian forces, but God.

By Steve Richards

The biggest reason I came here to shoot this film was to dispel the misconception that Christians are being persecuted in Ukraine.

Hopefully, the film achieves that, as this idea is simply not true. ​Some Russian Orthodox priests have been arrested, but these individuals have acted as mouthpieces for and supporters of Russia. Increasingly, only patriots are welcome members of Ukraine’s clergy. Yet even now, the Russian Church carries on as Ukrainian Orthodox followers find it difficult to move out of their comfort zones.

My evangelical roots, having grown up in the Nazarene Church, give me a deep connection with evangelicals, even as I now lean more toward mainline Christianity as an Episcopalian. Though my faith journey has evolved, I have never strayed far from my roots and frequently visit Pentecostal, Baptist, and non-denominational churches across the U.S. The majority of my mailing list and followers come from these evangelical communities.

While Beyond Bucha certainly focuses on documenting the diversity of evangelical churches in Ukraine, it also captures the backdrop of the cities where I filmed: Kyiv, Bucha, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, and Vinnytsia during the 2023-2024 holiday season and again in the fall of 2024. If viewers are interested in the realities of life in cities near the front lines, they will certainly find that—especially as they hear mostly English-speaking interviewees discuss their experiences, the histories of their churches, and the challenges they face, including the shortage of men and the profound impact of PTSD on nearly everyone. Their experiences in the war and the effects on their congregations are central to the stories.

When one realizes that these evangelicals are literally fighting for their lives, their parishioners’ lives, and the survival of their churches—all of which are under existential threat from Russia—the footage and interviews with pastors will feel remarkably familiar to Christians in the U.S. Yet, their situation is vastly different. These churches and pastors are on Russian kill lists, just as the hundreds of churches, pastors, and believers in occupied territories of Ukraine have been targeted—where churches are shuttered, services have gone underground under threat from Russian invaders, and pastors have been killed. This reality must remain front and center while watching the film. In the U.S., we take our religious freedoms for granted. In Ukraine, they fight for theirs. They see themselves in a very real religious war, and they remember what life was like under Soviet domination—many would rather die than go back.

I am deeply indebted to the pastors and those who helped me find these extraordinary churches, secure access, and conduct interviews. Evangelicals and Protestants are a small minority in Ukraine, yet it is not uncommon to find third- and fourth-generation pastors. Baptists are well represented, as are Pentecostals, Charismatics, and non-denominational Christians. Mainline denominations are similarly hard to find, with representation from Lutherans, the Reformed tradition, and even Presbyterians. Anglicans are extremely rare in this country, where the evolving Orthodox Church dominates. Greek Catholics are common, and Roman Catholic churches can also be found.

As I reflect on what Beyond Bucha is about—or perhaps more importantly, why I made it—at the very least, we are chronicling events in Ukraine over several years, and we will continue to do so. Ideally, I can provide an effective platform to foster empathy among evangelicals in the United States for their brothers and sisters throughout Ukraine. By increasing their understanding, I hope they will begin to support Ukraine just a little more and dispel the misinformation that taints their perceptions of people they should whole-heartedly embrace. All while crafting a film that entertains and connects with secular audiences worldwide.

By Steve Richards

Pastor Anton Kalyuzhny leads New Life Church, one of the largest non-denominational churches in Ukraine, founded shortly after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

​Situated at the heart of Kyiv’s evangelical community, Pastor Anton is a passionate leader in a country where the Orthodox Church predominates. He brings deep experience in how the church has engaged with Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia, with involvement dating back to the Revolution of Dignity, where he served as a pastor in Maidan Square during its bloodiest days in 2014.

During an hour-long interview following the Sunday service on October 20th (a 12-minute edited video is attached), Pastor Anton shared powerful insights and issued a heartfelt plea to conservatives and evangelicals in the West. He urged them to rise above disinformation that distorts their perceptions of Ukrainians, particularly evangelicals, who are striving to keep their churches alive and free from the repression seen in Russian-occupied territories, where hundreds of churches have been forcibly shuttered.

Reflecting on how the war has reshaped faith and ministry in his church, Pastor Anton explained that war demands a confrontation with pain and evil. For believers, this means learning to lament while recognizing God’s shared sorrow. He says, “When you are in a war, you cannot run away from pain and evil. You need to learn how to lament…and see that He's crying with us.”

He also emphasized the stakes for future generations, stating that Ukraine must not be lost—it must be preserved for the next generation. He described Ukraine as the most blood-soaked land of the past 150 years, having endured World War I, World War II, the Russian Revolution, the Holodomor, Soviet oppression, and more. This history, he noted, has fostered a mentality of resilience and sacrifice. Unlike Americans, who have never experienced the loss of freedom, Ukrainians understand the agony of living under Soviet domination, which many consider worse than death.

When asked whether he ever feels persecuted, Pastor Anton laughed at the notion, asserting that Christians in Ukraine enjoy more freedom than those in the U.S. He explained that Ukrainian Christians can openly share their faith in schools, public gatherings, and on any platform without restriction. He says, “We can talk about our faith in school. We can talk in any gathering in a city. We can talk and pray. We have absolute freedom.”

Pastor Anton also addressed claims that the Russian Orthodox Church is being persecuted, describing it instead as a tool of Russia’s war strategy. He alleged that the church has been weaponized as part of a vast network of propaganda and espionage, with examples of Russian soldiers hiding in churches and Orthodox priests directing artillery fire. He stressed that the Ukrainian government is not attacking the Russian Orthodox Church but simply requiring that local Ukrainian churches not be headquartered in Moscow. This, he explained, is not about religious repression but about preventing exploitation by Russia.

Ukrainians, Pastor Anton explained, were prepared for the war long before 2022. Since 2014, they have learned to think clearly, remain calm amid sirens, explosions and blackouts, and keep moving forward. Something akin to the English slogan from the Blitz in WW II: “Keep Calm and Carry On”.

However, Pastor Anton expressed deep frustration over the misunderstandings between Ukrainian evangelicals and their counterparts in the U.S. He noted that most Ukrainians are staunchly conservative, yet they are often mislabeled as liberals or socialists by American conservatives. He highlighted the role of propaganda and the influence of conservative media figures, whose stance on Ukraine he described as far removed from the realities on the ground. Pastor Anton urged evangelical believers in the U.S. to listen to their Ukrainian counterparts rather than relying solely on conservative media narratives.

​Finally, Pastor Anton underscored the harsh realities faced by evangelicals under Russian occupation. He noted that when Russian forces take over, one of their first actions is to close evangelical churches. Hundreds of churches have been shut down, and pastors have been killed. Despite these severe challenges, Ukrainian evangelicals remain connected to their oppressed counterparts, bearing witness to their suffering. Pastor Anton lamented that many in the West continue to prioritize voices like Tucker Carlson over hearing directly from Ukrainian believers, describing this as a profound betrayal that feels like “a knife in our hearts.”

By Steve Richards

My visit to Zaporizhzhia this past October opened my eyes to perspectives I hadn’t expected from the evangelicals there.

Not only are they fighting for their religious freedoms, but they also believe they have more religious freedom than we do in America. At first, this seemed difficult to grasp. But after my interview with Bishop Gashchenko at his Source of Life Church—now edited down to 12 minutes—you may find yourself rethinking this claim as well. I’m still processing his perspective, but I can’t deny that the Bishop makes several compelling points that are difficult to refute.I’ve recently returned from a five-week tour of evangelical churches in September and October 2025, during which I attended services at Baptist, Pentecostal, Charismatic, and non-denominational churches. These gatherings felt remarkably similar to those here in the U.S. In contrast to my earlier documentaries, where I focused on Ukrainian Catholic and Orthodox churches in Lviv, Kyiv, and Bucha, this time I turned my attention to the Protestant minority. My journey took me to evangelical communities in Kyiv, Bucha, Irpin, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia, where I interviewed pastors whose insights will be featured in our upcoming documentary, Beyond Bucha, set for release in March 2025, to commemorate the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Bishop Gashchenko laid out his case noting that his church was never forced to close during the COVID-19 pandemic, unlike many churches in the U.S. that were shut down under government mandates. He also highlighted that prayer in public spaces, including schools, is normative in Ukraine—a stark contrast to the U.S.

Perhaps most striking in our conversation were the harrowing stories of life for evangelicals in Zaporizhzhia, especially those trapped in territories now occupied by Russia. These areas have become battlefields—not just militarily but also spiritually—as Russia wages war on evangelicals in occupied Ukraine. Despite these dangers, the efforts to help members escape to safety continue.

Bishop Gashchenko represents dozens of churches following Pentecostal and Charismatic streams of the Holy Spirit, as vividly captured in the accompanying video. What is equally clear is the incredible sacrifices these believers are willing to make to preserve their freedoms, even to the point of laying down their very lives if necessary.

In the end, whether Ukraine truly offers more religious freedom than the U.S. can be debated. What cannot be questioned is their deep appreciation for these freedoms—and the extraordinary lengths they go to protect them.

By Steve Richards

On the bus to Zaporizhzhia from Dnipro this past October, I was struck by the city’s infrastructure as we got near the city.

​Massive dams and bridges dominated the landscape, along with modern condos and businesses. This city, approximately 200 kilometers (124 miles) from the Russian border and 30-50 kilometers (19-31 miles) from the nearest front-line areas, is far from devastated though is deeply affected by the ongoing war. The proximity to active combat zones is underscored by recent glide bomb attacks this this past week that killed at least 13 and injured dozens. (Source: NYT).

I was visiting as part of a five-week tour of Ukraine for my new documentary Beyond Bucha – Finding the Spirit in Ukraine from the Churches to the Front. My goal is to document the state of evangelical communities throughout Ukraine, particularly those near the front lines. In this case, I was meeting with the Source of Life Church and its pastor-bishop, part of the Pentecostal/Charismatic churches. This church, under the bishop’s leadership, focuses on aiding those near and behind enemy lines and helping them to safety. They distribute food, provide aid and transportation, and support displaced individuals from occupied territories. Acknowledging the ongoing trauma of war, the church also offers spaces for soldiers suffering from PTSD, including spaces conducted without loud music, creating a safe and respectful environment.

As it turned out, the translator for my interview was a rare and inspiring figure herself: Pastor Karina Medvied of Yahum Church in Zaporizhzhia City. Karina is a Charismatic minister with a distinct Ukrainian flavor to her excellent English.

Her faith journey began at age 17 when she embraced Christianity despite coming from a non-religious family. She later met her husband in church. Today, Karina is a spiritual mother to her congregation, which meets in a condo basement and conducts street ministries to reach the broader community.

Insights into the Orthodox Church
Pastor Karina shared unique perspectives on the arrest of Orthodox priests accused of backing Russian forces. She supports these actions, believing that many Moscow-oriented clergy neglect the needs of patriotic Ukrainians and instead wait passively for Russian control. She pointed to pro-Russian pamphlets and magazines often found in these churches, which she says have also facilitated fraudulent election efforts in Zaporizhzhia and other oblasts Russia seeks to annex. Such activities undermine Ukraine’s independence.

Nonetheless, Karina acknowledges that many people continue attending Russian-affiliated churches. Nostalgia for the Soviet era, when food and basic necessities were cheaper, often drives this loyalty, even as people overlook the hardships of the past and present.

Karina believes that if people want to remain within Orthodoxy, they should join the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, which upholds Ukraine’s sovereignty while maintaining traditional liturgies, vestments, icons, and even many priests and churches that have distanced themselves from Moscow in recent years.

​A Ministry of Healing
Karina emphasizes the importance of moving beyond past suffering to focus on building a better future through a ministry of care and healing in Christ. Her church works tirelessly to aid those in need, including feeding and assisting people from occupied territories, offering spiritual guidance, and fostering hope amidst the madness.
She also expressed deep gratitude to Americans for their support, which has been essential to her church’s mission and efforts.
An interview with the bishop who oversees Pastor Karina’s church will follow soon.

I'm pleased to share that, after a year of filming, the editing process for Beyond Bucha is now well underway.

We’ve already developed a preliminary trailer and several edited reels from our recent production tour and last year’s holiday shoots. After my recent five-week trip to Ukraine, we now have enough footage for two films!

During my visit, I captured the resilience of Ukraine’s cities, including Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, and others. Contrary to perceptions of widespread destruction, our footage showcases vibrant cities with lovely hotels, bustling malls, clean streets, and reliable trains—all amidst ongoing sirens and the occasional explosion. The unshakable confidence and resilience of Ukrainians shine through.

We’ve adjusted our timeline and plan to release a series of short films starting in February 2025. These shorts will focus on topics such as:

• Religious freedom in Ukraine
• The evangelical movement, including women pastors
• The war’s impact on churches and congregations
• The Orthodox schism and government actions against Moscow-affiliated priests
• PTSD among soldiers, civilians, and children—and how churches are helping

Each 10–15 minute segment will include clergy interviews and footage from cities and churches visited. Five-minute versions will be tailored for social media to engage leaders and influencers in the USA.

The final feature film is scheduled for release in Spring/Summer 2025 and will combine these shorts into a comprehensive production with versions of 90, 60, 30, and 15 minutes.

Rewards Update
Thank you to our incredible supporters! Your rewards will soon be on their way.

Thanks to your generosity, we’ve raised 75% of our $42,738 budget. However, we need $10,000 to finalize post-production, with $5,000 urgently required for editing to keep us on schedule. Timely funding will ensure the film’s relevance and quality as pivotal decisions about Ukraine’s future unfold.

The 30mm brass angel candlesticks have finally arrived in the USA after a challenging journey from the skilled artisans at the Forge in Vinnytsia. These extraordinary pieces, crafted from spent 30mm anti-aircraft shell casings, will soon be shipped to our Angel-level contributors ($500). In addition, the small flags from Kyiv and Beyond Bucha posters will be sent out to contributors in the coming days.

Looking for a truly unique (and tax-deductible) Christmas gift for the Ukraine supporter in your life? These candlesticks are the perfect choice!

Your support enables us to create a high-quality film that highlights Ukraine’s resilience and religious freedom. Together, we can make an impact and share these vital stories with the world.

For more information and to join our cause click here.

I’m thrilled to share an early version of the Beyond Bucha trailer!

While we are targeting a late February release for this feature-length documentary, many updates will be made to the trailer between now and then. However, I wanted to give you a first look. And I am particularly interested in getting it out ASAP because I hope it will begin to do some good in helping put to rest the disinformation that Ukraine is persecuting Christians.

The film takes viewers on a five-week, 2,500-kilometer journey across eight cities throughout eastern and central Ukraine, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Bucha, Irpin, Dnipro, Odesa, Vinnytsia, and Zaporizhzhia.

Each Sunday of the journey introduced us to a new church and pastor, encompassing a wide range of Evangelical traditions—Baptists, Pentecostals, Charismatics, and non-denominational. The film will also include remarkable interviews with several Orthodox priests representing different perspectives on the ongoing schism.

I’m also honored to feature Contra Spem Spero! (Against All Hope, I Hope!), a powerful piece inspired by the poetry of Lesia Ukrainka (1871–1913), set to music by composer and pianist Dina Pruzhansky, with contralto Vira Slywotzky’s exquisite vocals. In addition to their acclaimed international careers, these artists have tirelessly raised awareness and funds for Ukraine-related humanitarian relief efforts, including the Center for Civil Liberties, Odesa Peace Fund, Razom for Ukraine, and the Ukraine Music Initiative.

We’re also fortunate to feature Odesa’s award-winning Sunrise Ensemble performing Confession by Ukrainian composer Oksana Gerasimenko. Fresh from winning the International Autumn Leaves Festival, they also performed for the film outside Odesa’s historic Transfiguration Cathedral.

​Stay tuned for more updates—thank you for your continued support as we bring Beyond Bucha to life!

I first met Sasha this past summer at a charity polo match in Newport, where I was a guest of the Newport and Jamestown Ukraine Relief Projects.
They were representing Ukraine, and I was still trying to wrap my head around polo. I struck up a conversation with a Ukrainian woman who mentioned her 12-year-old son, saying his English was far better than hers and that I should meet him.
Later in the afternoon, I spotted Sasha with friends. They seemed so familiar with each other that I assumed he couldn't be the Ukrainian refugee I'd imagined. Little did I know how deeply rooted this young family was in Newport. I was blown away when Sasha started speaking—his English was flawless, without a trace of an accent. We soon launched into one of the most insightful conversations I’ve had about Ukraine including a detailed tutorial on the various missiles and drones Russia was using against his country.

Sasha was born in Sevastopol, Crimea. His whole family left Crimea in 2014. It turns out Sasha had spent his kindergarten year in Newport back in 2017, while his father attended the Naval War College at the invitation of the U.S. government. After the full-scale invasion in March 2022, mom and the kids left Ukraine for the USA. His dad’s friend Erik Brine took them in and they were in Jamestown, RI for 18 months. His dad stayed in Ukraine and has served in some of the toughest theaters of the war.

Sasha seems as American as any other seventh grader, excelling in school, playing the flute, and practicing Taekwondo three times a week. His older sister, Yana, is a medical student in Kyiv.  

This summer, however, Sasha wasn’t in Newport for school but to recover from a concussion caused by two Iskander ballistic missiles that hit near his home in Odesa. He still has trouble hearing in one ear. Odesa is too close to Crimea for much warning before missile strikes—unlike Kyiv, where sirens often result in false alarms, in Odesa, an explosion usually follows within minutes.

Fast forward to last week: I had told Sasha’s mother, Viktoriia, about my upcoming trip to Odesa for my next documentary, Beyond Bucha, and asked if Sasha could be my translator and guide. After exchanging a few emails, I made it to their beloved city. Unfortunately, just as I arrived, Russia had intensified its assault on Odesa, targeting grain shipments from the port.
Of all the Ukrainian cities I’ve visited, Odesa felt the hottest, and not because of the weather. On my first night, I heard an explosion just minutes after an air raid siren. The following night, another attack resulted in fatalities. It reminded me of the aftermath of mass shootings in U.S. cities—tragic, persistent, yet life goes on. The people here have become as accustomed to war as one can be. They refuse to be cowed by missiles and drones. It feels more like terrorism, given how many strikes hit civilian targets like the Transfiguration Cathedral.

Despite everything, Odesans love their city and won’t let the bombings disrupt their lives. This resilience is something I’ve seen all across Ukraine—people deeply love their hometowns, and for good reason.

On my first day in Odesa, Viktoriia welcomed me with five bottles of Ukrainian red wine, a bottle of cognac, cookies, candy, apples, and grapes. After nearly a week, I’m still working my way through it all! The generosity and hospitality have been overwhelming.

As a natural result I suppose the people here are also as used to the realities of this war as anyone. “Used to it” isn’t exactly the right term but life goes on. And they won’t be cowed by a terrorist with missiles and drones. And it really is more akin to terrorism in that so many of these projectiles miss and hit civilian targets like the Transfiguration Cathedral last year. It’s not like Odesa is in artillery range so you really have to go looking to find something blown up. This beautiful city–like Kyiv, Bucha, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Zaporizhzhia before them on my itinerary-- is intact. And for the most part the “booms” are distant, as the apps on Sasha phone made clear. So, the bombings are more akin to terrorism not a great military, who are intent on making life as miserable as possible.

Sasha and his family showed me the beauty of Odesa, including a visit to the famous Transfiguration Cathedral, which was struck by a Russian missile in 2023. You’ll catch glimpses of it in the attached video, with more to come in my film. Life continues here, even as sirens wail in the background. I also visited Sasha’s school, where we were treated to lunch by the headmistress. But the highlight for me was attending a ballet performance at the Odesa Opera House, one of Europe’s great treasures, where we watched a stunning Ukrainian ballet set to Chopin.

​Of all the moments in Odesa, the one that stands out most was a walk along the Black Sea with Sasha’s family and their dog. I even took off my shoes to step into the water on the stony beach. As the day ended, Sasha had to head home to study, and I paid him a small sum for his incredible work as a guide, translator, and cameraman—he shot almost all the footage for this segment. Despite his mother’s objections, I insisted he accept the money, and he ended up buying four physics books with it!
I’m excited to return to Odesa after Beyond Bucha is completed to share the film with them. I owe Sasha and his family a great deal for their help with the Odesa segment, and I hope they’ll love the final result. I’m certainly looking forward to going back.

Pastor Sergey Gashchenko, Bishop of the Union of Churches - Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine - October 6th, 2024

In early 2023, I filmed a segment for Back to Bucha featuring Pastor Oleg Regetsiy of the Church of the Glory of the Lord in Lviv.
At that time, he was conducting an online service with his displaced congregation, many of whom had fled Kharkiv after Russian forces were repelled in the early days of the war. While Oleg and his family have since returned to Kharkiv, most of his congregation has not.

In the video below, we see a Wednesday evening Bible study around a dinner table, attended by Oleg’s family and a few parishioners. At this particular service they were trying to translate everything into English for my benefit though generally would speak Russian given we were in the Kharkiv region which is largely Russian speaking. They read and discuss scripture, followed by prayers from everyone present. It was an intimate gathering, largely made up of women. Oleg’s wife, Iryna, plays a prominent role in the ministry, a female co-pastor, making their work a true partnership. This setting reminded me of the early days of the Christian church, when services were held in homes, often led by women, bringing to mind Matthew 18:20: "For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."

Kharkiv was relatively calm when I visited a few weeks ago, but it remains a prime objective for Russian forces. Earlier this year, they launched a renewed offensive, but were repelled, in part due to U.S.-supplied HIMARS, which President Biden allowed to strike into Russia. Kharkiv is only about 25 miles from the Russian border, making it a critical flashpoint in the conflict.

Bible study around a dinner table, attended by Pastor Oleg Regetsiy, his family and parishioners, Kharkiv, Ukraine - September 25th, 2024

​After Kharkiv, I traveled south to Zaporizhzhia via Dnipro to meet with Bishop Sergey Gashchenko, leader of the Union of Churches to which Oleg’s ministry belongs. I also attended a service at the Source of Life Church where Bishop Gashchenko preached last Sunday, a glimpse of which you can see in the video below.

This denomination, as explained to me, is Pentecostal with a Charismatic element. The Charismatic aspect apparently allows for women pastors, and I met a young female pastor who gave one of the clearest explanations of the Orthodox church schism and why it is supported by many Ukrainians. We’ll feature her in an upcoming segment.

In my conversations with clergy here, whenever I ask about Christian persecution in Ukraine, they seem perplexed by the question. Bishop Gashchenko even suggested that he enjoys greater religious freedom than many Americans, noting that while U.S. churches were forced to close during COVID, services in Ukraine continued, with most Ukrainians still remaining unvaccinated due to limited vaccine availability.

​Ultimately, these two Protestant churches exemplify the thriving religious freedom on this side of the frontlines. The Russian disinformation claiming persecution of Christians in Ukraine is utterly unfounded. The arrest of Russian Orthodox priests acting as spies isn’t about religious persecution—it’s about their illegal activities and espionage, as they continue to support Russia and spread propaganda from the pulpit.